Derby To Re-Sign Grant

Derby County have quickly moved to make their first summer signing by agreeing to sign Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant.

The 30-year-old, who began his career with Derby, has agreed to join the Rams from their npower Championship rivals effective from 1st July 2013, after turning down the offer of a new contract with the Clarets in order to join Nigel Clough's side.

The former England Under-21 international was last week named as Burnley's Player of the Season by the Turf Moor faithful and Clough is delighted to have landed the experienced shot-stopper.

Clough said: “Lee knows the Club, he has experience, he has a presence about him and he knows the division very well.

“He is an accomplished and consistent goalkeeper at Championship level and we are delighted he has chosen to join us.

“We wanted that extra experience and presence on the pitch, as well as in the dressing room, and he is exactly what we were looking for.

“Once we knew he was available, it was too good an opportunity to miss.”

Grant joined the Rams as a trainee in 2000 from Watford and made his senior debut in the 2002–03 campaign against Burnley, before picking up the Young Player of the Year Award at the end of the season after playing 30 games.

During his seven years at Pride Park, the shot-stopper made 79 appearances for the Club, and also enjoyed loan spells with Burnley and Oldham Athletic.

Grant’s time at the Rams came to an end in July 2007 when he agreed a three-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday, where he went on to play an integral part in maintaining the Owls’ Championship status during the 2007–08 campaign.

In July 2010, Grant completed a return to his former loan club Burnley; linking up with former Owls boss Brian Laws.

Grant played his final and 126th game for Burnley last weekend and helped Sean Dyche’s side to a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

The goalkeeper left the field to a standing ovation after being substituted in the 90th minute, to allow Brian Jensen some match time in his testimonial year with the Clarets.

Watch reaction from Nigel Clough and Lee Grant exclusively on Rams Player on Wednesday morning.